Ventilating unit



Dec- 16, 1958 MN wAssERMAN ET AL 2,864,325

VENTILATING UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 9, 1955 Dec. 16, 1958 M. wAssERMAN ETAL 2,864,325

VENTILATINGUNIT v Filed NOV. 9. 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /llllllla INVENTOR. MAX \\AS$ERI-/mg`L Russen STErso/v Eze/EL [4Q/ F ms ATTORNEY.

n 2,864,325 I n Patented'Dec. 16, 1958 VENTILATIN G UNIT Max Wasserman, Newton, and Russell Stetson, Sharon, Mass., assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, to Wasco Chemical Co., Inc.

Application November 9, 1955, Serial No. 545,815

7 Claims. (Cl. 10S-16) The present invention relates to an improved skylight construction of the general style as illustrated in Patent Numbers 2,610,593 and 2,693,156, patented Sept. 16, 1952 and Nov. 2, 1954, respectively, which is adapted to be opened to various positions for ventilatio-n purposes.

The present invention provides a transparent or translucent plastic domed skylight structure in which-a plastic dome may be normally secured tightly over the skylight well with provisions, however, for pivotally raising the plastic dome above the skylight well to provide a ventilation opening. One feature of the present invention provides a skylight structure adapted to be opened for ventilation purposes in which the skylight dome may be raised, lowered and locked by a novel mechanism and arrangement. A further feature and object of the present invention 1s to provide a skylight structure of the type indicated which is relatively simple in design and style and which has a simple but ellicient mechanism for raising and lowering the dome for ventilation purposes.

These and other objects and features and advantages of the construction of the present invention will be more clearly understood when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary cross-sectional elevation of the skylight dome structure illustrating the invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom cross-sectional View of a portion of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevation of the spring structure used to tension the dome structure toward an open position, and,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation of the modification of the invention.

Referring to the ilgures, and particularly to Figure l, there is illustrated a well member or curb frame 1 which is formed of four continuous walls including end wall la and opposite sidewalls 1b, forming an enclosed rectangle with a continuous` lower peripheraloutwardly cxtending flange 2 formed at the lower edge of the curb frame 1. The flange 2 is adapted to be secured by any suitable means to the roof, about the well opening. An outwardly extending ilange 3 is formed about the periphery of the curb frame 1 at its upper edge and provides a support to which is secured the continuous curb covering element generally indicated at'4. This curb covering element is rectangular in plan view and has a cross section providing an outwardly extending llange 5, an inner downwardly extending ilange 6, an outer downwardly extending ilange 7 with the lower end of the flange 7 inclined angularly outward at 8.

This curb covering 4 is secured over the curb frame 1 at the junction of the anges 5 and 6 by welding or other suitable means to the Wallsy and outwardly extending llange 3. Positioned over this curb frame 1 and curb covering 4 is a transparent or translucent plastic skylight dome 9 which is of the general shape'and type indicated in my previous patents. This dome 9 is supported at its outwardly extending peripheral tlange 10 by a peripheral dome supporting member generally illustrated at 11 and having a cross section comprising the outwardly extending llange 12 with an upwardly extending inner ilange'13 and a downwardly extending llange 14 at the outer peripheral edge of the flange 12. This supporting element extends rectangularly around the curb frame and has the outwardly extending peripheral llange 10 of the dome secured to 'it by means of the rectangular apron generally illustrated at 15, which comprises in cross se'ction an angle member having inwardly extending legs 16 and downwardly extending legs 17. This apron '15 is spaced from the llange 10 by the gasket element 18 with the llange 10 in turn spaced from the ilange 12 by the gasket element 19. The apron 15 is secured to the downwardly extending llange 14 by suitable means such as welding at intermittent points as indicated at 20. To provide for proper drainage, openings should be provided intermittently through the gasket 18 and downwardly between welded sections 20 so that water collecting on the surface of the flange 10 may flow between the apron and supporting member and outwardly of the structure. The dome, supporting member and apron for convenience may be termed collectively the dome structure. This dome structure is spaced from the curb covering 4 by the gasket member 21 which extends about the curb covering. The do-me structure ts freely over the curb covering on three sides and is secured over the fourth side by pivoting means generally designated 22. These pivoting means comprise a pair of opposite elongated reinforcing hinge members 23 extending partially along the outside of opposite sides of the flange 7 and projecting somewhat beyond them. These reinforcing members 23 are provided with openings through which pivoting rods or bolts 24 extend, with each bolt 24 passing through an opposite side of the downwardly extending ilange 14 with the flange 14 pivotally secured to the rods 24. A cap or other suitable element may be secured on the outside of the rod 24 to pivotally secure the do-me structure -on the rods 24.

The dome structure is normally tensioned to open with the supporting member 11 adapted to pivot to a position as indicated by the dotted outline 25. This tension is provided by a spring assembly as illustrated in Figure 3. In this structure two symmetrically arranged pairs of leaf springs 26 and 27 are each composed of an upper leaf spring 28 and a shorter lower leaf spring 29, with the lower leaf spring 29 having an opening 30 near its free end. When the springs 28 and 29 are untensioned, they are parallel and in face to face relation along their entire length. When they are under tension, which is the case when the dome is closed, the free ends 31 and 32 of the springs 28 and 29 are respectively positioned at right angles to one another. The other ends of these leaf springs 28 and 29 are positioned adjacent to one another in face to face relation and are secured rigidly to the other pair of springs 28 and 29 in sandwich fashion by the clamp member or band 33. The taper between the band 33 and the free ends of the springs is gradual to the lines 36 just short of the free ends where the right angles relati-onship is complete.

These springs 28 and 29 fit underneath the dome struc-il ture along the hinged s ide with the end segments 31 and 32 positioned respectively in the short sleeve segment 37 and slot 38 with the sleeve segment 37 and slot 38 in turn secured respectively to the lower surface of the flange 12 and the outer surface of the downwardly extending ilange 7. The free ends of the lower springs 29 are secured to the curb covering 4 by means of a bolt 40 and nut with the bolt passing through the element 38, the hole 30 and the ange -7.. As both springs 29 are secured at their free ends byboltsf` 40, and as the spring structure is formed with the entire length -of the springs 28 and 29 adapted to tension towards one another in parallel form along their entire length, the closing of the dome structure over the skylight well causes a distortion of the -free'ends of the springs. This distortion will normally-cause a tensioning,7 of the dome structure towards an open position so that the free ends of the springs will tend to return to their parallel position. The springs cho-sen should be suiciently strong as to actually raise and pivot open the dome structure to the position indicated by the dotted line at 25. Suicient additional spring strength should be provided to overcome the weight of a normal amount of snow or the retardation of ice which may accumulate on the structure.

The dome structure is secured in a desired closed position or vmay be permitted to open by a latching arrangement generally illustrated in Figure l. In this arrangement, a plate member 41 is secured at a spaced distance from one of the sidwalls normal to the hinge side 1b by means of rivets 42, gaskets 42a and bottom element 42h. This plate is provided with a series of notches 43 at its forward edge as indicated, with each of these notches having an inclined side 44 and a stopping edge 45. Pivotally secured between the plate 41 and the side wall 1b by means of the pin 46 and Cotter pin 47 is the lever arm 48, which is formed with an angle as indicated. At the free end of this lever arm 4S is pivotally secured a second lever arm 49 by means of the pivot 50. This second lever arm 49 is twisted along its lengths through 90 with the upper end of the lever arm 49 secured to a plate member 51 by vmeans of the pin 52 and cotter pin 53. This plate 51 is in turn secured by rivets 54 or other suitable means to the upwardly extending ange 13 of the supporting member 11. An angle member 56 having a surface parallel with the lever arm 48 and a leg 57 extending inwardly over the top of the lever arm 48 is pivoted to this lever arm 48 at 58. At the inner upper end of this member 56 is secured the operating rod 59, which is held in position by the loop 60 extending through a hole in the leg 57. This rod extends substantially parallel to the lever 48. At the other end of this operating rod 59 is engaged a short lever member 61 which is pivoted to the lever 48 by a pin 62 located substantially at the center of the lever arm 61 and a pin 65 on the lever arm 48. The extreme end of the rod 59 is adapted to ride against the inclined contour section 66 formed on the plate 41 and having a contour generally following the contour of the forward edge in which the notches 43 are formed. The

ends of a reverse bent section 100 engages the pin 101 to pivot the lever 61. A spring element 67 is connected between the pin 63 and the inner end of the leg 57 of the plate 56 and tensions the plate 56 t-o pivot upwardly.

The short lever arm 61 Ihas its upper end 69 positioned and formed to engage the stop sides 45 of the notches 43. Thus, in the operation of the present device, when the dome structure is in a closed position, the springs 26 and 27 are under tension with the free ends at right angles to one another. The dome is held closed against this opening tension by the lever arms 48 and 49 which are in turn prevented from permitting the dome to open by the engagement of the edge 69 of the short lever arm 61 with the engagingedge 45 of the lowermost notch or recess 43.

When it is desired to raise the dome to its fully open position, an operator pulls on the cord 70 which will pivotally pull the plate 56 downwardly against the tension of the spring 67. This is turn pulls the rod 59 forward and pivots the upper edge 69 of the short lever arm forward against the tension of the springs 63. This disengages the upper edge 69 of the lever arm 61 from and permit the dome to be maintained in any desired position by allowing the lever arm 61 to engage one of the notches 43.

Figure 4 illustrates a modification of the spring structure of this invention. In this modification, a curb frame or covering 100 and dome and remaining structures 101 similar to those previously described are utilized. The dome and retaining ange structures 101 are secured to the curb covering by means of outwardly extending supports 102 extending parallel and outwardly from opposite side edges. These support structures rigidly support and secure a pivot rod 103 which is positioned just outside of the curb covering 100. The ends of this support rod 103 project through the support 102 into the dome supporting ange 104 at opposite sides thereof. This rod 103 pivotally supports the flange 104 and permits the flange to rotate freely about it. The flange 104 and the dome and retaining frame 105 and 106, respectively, to which the ange 104 is rigidly secured, are freely and pivotally supported on the rod 103 by suitable means, such as washers o-n the inner side of the ange 104 and a lock nut on the outer side of this flange 104 attached to the ends of the rod 103, which projects through it. Between the two supports 102 which support the dome structure are provided two spring members 107 with one only shown in Figure 4. These spring members are formed of a resilient steel rectangular length centrally bent to extend around the rod 103 with one end, 108 being provided with an angular bend at 109 adapted to permit the end 108 to rest at on the surface of the curb covering 100. The other end of this spring extends upwardly in the normal untensioned position at an acute angle suicient when under the closed tension of the dome to raise the dome to an open position as illustrated. In a closed position, this last-mentioned end of the spring 107 is closed downwardly by the pressure of the ange 107 and the gasket 110. When the dome is released, as previously set forth, the spring 107 will assume its normal untensioned position, bringing the dome up to the position indicated.

Having now described our invention, we claim:

l. A mechanism for opening and closing a roof covering structure pivotally secured to a skylight well comprising two pair of leaf springs formed together at adjacent ends, in substantial longitudinal alignment, said leaf springs in each pair when untensioned in parallel face to face alignment with each other and one leaf spring of each pair secured to said roof covering structure, and the other secured to said well and a lever linkage system independent of said leaf springs and secured at one end to said roof covering structure and at the other to said well, said system including locking means adapted to secure said system and roof covering structure in a selected position by overcoming the biasing of said leaf springs.

2. A mechanism for opening and closing a roof covering structure pivotally secured to a skylight well comprising spring means continuously biasing said structure to an open position, and a lever linkage system comprising first and second pivotally `interengaging lever arms with said frst arm pivotally secured at its other end to said structure and said second arm pivotally secured at its other end to the wall of said well, a plate having a plurality of stops successively arranged along an arcuate path described by a point on said second lever arm with said plate being fixed parallel to said wall and adjacent said second lever arm, a pawl pivotally secured to said second lever arm, spring means connected to said pawl, and spring tensioning it toward engagement with said stops, and means for disengaging said pawl from said stops comprising a linking rod extending longitudinally of said second lever arm and operatively interconnecting said pawl and a leverage means, said leverage means being pivotally secured to said second lever arm.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said leverage means comprises a lever having an intermediate fulcrum with one end of the lever connected to the fulcrum and the other adapted to have secured thereto a string and spring means tensioning said rod longitudinally toward said plate.

4. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the end of said rod adjacent said pawl extends over said plate, and arcuate guide means formed on said plate substantially parallel to said arcuate path against which said last mentioned end of said rod bears.

5. A mechanism for opening and closing a roof structure pivotally secured to a skylight well, comprising means biasing said structure toward an open position and locking means including a lever linkage system comprising a first lever and second lever pivotally interconnected at one end and at their other ends pivotally connected said first to the dome and said second to a wall of said Well, a fixed plate having a plurality of stops, a pawl spring tensioned adapted on upward movement of said second arm to successively engage said stops pivotally 2a mounted on one of said arms and thereby arrest the movement of saidsecond arm, means including a linking rod interconnecting said pawl and a leverage means for moving said pawl from a position engaging said stop to a release position.

6. A mechanism for opening and closing a roof covering structure pivotally secured to a skylight well comprising spring means continuously biasing said structure to an open position, and a lever linkage system comprising lirst and second pivotally interengaging lever arms with said first arm pivotally secured at its other end to said structure and said second arm pivotally secured at its other end to the wall of said well, means providing a plurality of successive fixed stops arranged at successive vertical levels, engageable movable means secured to said second lever arm and adapted to be selectively engaged with said stops to secure said second arm and thereby lock said covering structure in selected positions insertpreventing said covering structure from further upward movement, and means for moving said engageable means in and out of engagement with said stops.

7. A device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said engageable movable means comprises a pawl pivotally secured -to said second lever arm and said means for moving said engageable means comprises a linking rod pivotally engaging said pawl at one end, means supporting said rod for substantial longitudinal movement, spring means engaging said rod for movement of said pawl toward engagement with said stops and means for moving said rod longitudinally against the tension of said last mentioned spring means whereby said pawl may be disengaged from said stops.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 568,271 Parsons Sept. 22, 1896 876,338 Eachus Jan. 14, 1908 1,210,875 Ward Jan. 2, 1917 1,668,421 Rysdon May 1, 1928 1,681,188 Kupfer August 21, 1928v 1,829,513 French Oct. 27, 1931 2,421,889 Jakeway June 10, 1947 2,598,888 Capra June 3, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 501,864 France of 1920 51,734 Norway of 1932 

